186 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 20, 1886. 
grow in is very rough peat and loam, with broken 
crocks and charcoal, and filled up on the top of the pot 
with sphagnum moss. This seems to suit it well, more 
especially if it can get a good bottom heat, and also 
plenty of water, which must be given in large doses 
when the plant is growing freely. With this treatment 
it will send up shoots in several places, and soon make 
an attractive specimen that no grower need be afraid 
of showing either in an exhibition, or at home in his 
stove.— TV. G. 
Filmy Ferns for Dark Corners. — How 
frequently do we see odd corners in cool greenhouses, 
where damp seems to lodge and never can be got dry, 
except in the very height of the summer time. Why 
should not these corners be utilised in the cultivation 
of a few choice gems, in the shape of Filmy Ferns ? If 
a case was made or a bit of rough stonework put up in 
these corners, it could soon be covered with the most 
delightful green verdure ; the moisture just suiting 
these beautiful Ferns. What could exceed in beauty a 
nice plant of Todea superba, or T. pellucida, in the 
centre of such a corner, filling round about with 
Trichomanes radicans (The Killarney Fern), T. angus- 
tata, which would cover the stones all over in time ? 
Hymenophyllum demissum, one of the very best and 
quickest growers, would soon form good masses ; H. 
caudiculatum is a very handsome species, and seems to 
grow almost as free as demissum ; H. dilatatum is 
another very pretty variety. Many other varieties 
could be induced to grow in these corners with them, 
such as Actiniopteris radiata, several varieties of 
Cystopteris, Seolopendriums, &c. For edging such a 
place, Sibthorpia europea (The Cornish Moneywort), 
would make rapid growth, and its lively green would 
be a relief to the dark fronds of the Ferns. If, in the 
summer time, the place should become too dry, it is an 
easy matter to shade and occasionally syringe overhead. 
— IV. G. 
The late Richard Headly. —In your issue of 
November 13th I observe a slight mistake in notes on 
“Planting the Show or Florists’ Tulips.” The late 
(Mr. Richard Headly was not of Cambridge, but of 
Stapleford, Cambridgeshire. I rectify the error, as the 
Headlys of Cambridge are not of the same family as 
the celebrated amateur Tulip grower. — TV. D'Arcy 
Godolphin Osborne, F L.S., Villa Louis, Biarritz. 
Chrysanthemum maximum (lacustre)._ 
A fine plant of this late summer and autumn-flowering 
species is now in fine bloom in my cold greenhouse. It 
was lifted from the open ground, placed in a pot, and 
its vigorous dark green growth is now crowned with 
blossoms. It is an extremely free-growing perennial, 
and perfectly hardy. Strange to say, it does not appear 
to mature its seeds in this country ; but seed can be 
obtained, and I have found it to germinate freely. It 
is a plant that should have plenty of space in which to 
grow when planted in the open ground, as it extends 
itself rapidly. Lovers of hardy plants should make a 
point of adding this species to their collections if they 
do not already possess it.— E. D. 
Deep Stoke-holes.— “Hortus,” in your issue 
of Oct. 30th, draws attention to the very important 
matter of deep stoke-holes, and gives instances where 
the piping is lower than the boiler, and working, so 
far, satisfactorily. With only one connection, such an 
arrangement will do its work well; but with two or 
more connections it will not, if on different levels. As 
it is not always convenient to build upon level ground, 
I will give an instance to prove that rise increases 
speed of circulation in hot-water pipes. I once had 
charge of a range of houses 600 ft. long, heated by 
three powerful boilers ; the ground-fall was 1 in. in 
20 ins. The central one I instance thus : Eight com¬ 
partments, in seven of which the rise was from 6 ins. 
to 12 ft. In the other house, the piping was level with 
the centre of the boiler, a horizontal tubular. As it 
was an orchard-house, the heat was seldom on but in 
severe or damp weather in winter, to protect Chry¬ 
santhemums. When 10° of frost were on, we had to 
close the valves on the mains that had a rise to force it 
into this low level, and frequently, at midnight, had 
to clear out all the plants. On the other hand, the 
piping at the highest level maintained the best heat. 
The valves of this house had to be left with the least 
possible openings, gradually increasing thenl as the 
levels fell. Thus I found,, from years of observation, 
that rise in pipes is conducive to circulation. Un¬ 
doubtedly, deep stoke-holes are a bore ; but a slow and 
stagnant flow is worse. He will be a benefactor who 
sets forth some practical plan for abolishing them.—- 
Alex. Hethven, The Gardens, Pelaw House, Chester-le- 
Street. 
I have read with pleasure the remarks by “Hortus,” 
at p. 133, anent deep stoke-holes ; also the other letters 
on the same subject at p. 154. Piping cannot always 
be laid level; but where it can be, is there anything 
gained by raising the pipes at the end farthest from 
the boiler, seeing that the water gets heavier by degrees 
from the moment it leaves the boiler until it enters it 
again, and what is gained by the fall in the return is 
lost bv the rise in the flow ? Of course, we have always 
the difference in the levels of the top and bottom of 
the boiler ; but, in some cases, that is not very much. 
I hope some light will be thrown on this subject, which, 
I think, is but very imperfectly understood, even by 
parties who have made the heating of houses their 
profession.— J. M. 
Begonia albo-picta.—This very pretty orna¬ 
mental Begonia, of recent introduction, is a charming 
and graceful plant, and well adapted for table decora¬ 
tion. It is shrubby and compact in habit, having 
lanceolate leaves spotted all over with pure white, and 
may be used from quite young plants up to larger 
specimens for decorative purposes. I have not yet 
seen it flower ; but from the plants I have about here 
I am satisfied it will be a most useful subject, even if it 
should not be a free-flowering variety. It is easy to 
propagate, and should be constantly kept growing, for 
by this means it is always making new shoots from 
the main stems, which curve over in a very elegant 
manner. — TV. G. 
Dahlias in November.—During an experience 
in Dahlia cultivation extending over thirty years, I 
have not, until now, been able to make up a stand of 
blooms on Martinmas term day, November 11th. To¬ 
day, owing to the mildness of the season, I cut a good 
stand of show, pompon and single varieties, which 
were a surprise to most of the gardeners. Until this 
year they had always before this time been cut down 
by frost.— John Downie, Edinburgh. 
Madresfield Court Grape. —I have been very 
much interested in reading the different opinions of 
your correspondents respecting this, the grandest of all 
black Grapes either for market purposes or private use. 
I have grown it here for ten years, and my experience 
is very much the same as that of the majority of your 
correspondents. The Vines are all planted outside in a 
border raised about 3 ft. above the level of the ground, 
which always keeps the border well drained. This, I 
think, is a very important matter in connection with 
the culture of all Vines, and, especially when planted in 
outside borders. I find that by giving plenty of air 
early in the morning in bright weather, and always 
having a little fire on when it is dull and damp, I am 
never troubled with more than a very few' cracked 
berries. Some of the Vines are on their own roots, and 
some are inarched on the Black Hamburgh ; but those 
on their own roots generally colour up cpiicker and 
better than those inarched, and as a midseason Grape 
it always fetches a much higher price in Covent Garden 
than any other black Grape. We have living near 
here a well-known market gardener, Mr. Wilmot, who 
grows it largely for market, and his gardener, Mr. 
Lee, grows it remarkably well. His practice with it 
is very much the same as ours, the only difference being 
that Mr. Wilmot’s are planted inside. As there is so 
much competition, market gardeners, as a rule, do not 
grow any one sort long if they find it don’t pay them. 
— G. Thompson, The Gardens, Croxby House, Hounslow. 
To anyone unacquainted with the merits of the 
noble Madresfield Court Grape, the remarks of “ Vitis ” 
would be enough to make them hesitate before plant¬ 
ing it, were it not for the fact that they are able 
to hear the opinion of others speaking more favour¬ 
ably of it. I cannot agree with your correspondent 
when he makes the assertion that it is mere wantonness 
to plant it as a permanent Vine in a mixed Vinery, 
after witnessing what it is capable of doing when 
planted in a house with the Black Hamburgh, and all 
the roots in an outside border. That it requires a 
little extra care and attention at colouring time I will 
freely admit, but for that we are fully compensated by 
its grand appearance when on the table. As soon as I 
perceive it beginning to change colour I give more air ; 
the front lights are always kept a little open, and the 
house is never quite closed at the top under any cir¬ 
cumstances. A little warmth is always kept in the 
pipes, and very little moisture is put on the floors, 
unless the weather is very bright and dry. Some 
spare lights are placed on the border outside to throw 
off the rain. Treated in this way, I have no difficulty 
in finishing a good crop, both in bunch and berry, and 
scarcely a cracked berry is to be found.— T. Griffin, 
Davenport, Bridgenorth. 
Brunsvigia Josephines.—I have had in my 
possession for six years an enormous bulb of Bruns¬ 
vigia Josephirue, which I am told by all my gar¬ 
dening friends who have seen it is the largest known 
in this part of the country. It is now growing 
in a pot 16 ins. in diameter, which is the same as it 
was in when I got it. The bulb measures 28 ins. in 
circumference, and 12 ins. in height from the top of 
the soil, and is just now sending up twelve splendid 
leaves, which attain a length of 3 ft. by 4 ins. to 5 ins. 
wide. I have only flowered it twice in that time ; the 
last time it sent up a spike with fifty-four flowers in a 
large umbel 26 ins. across. The age of the bulb must 
be nearly thirty years, as the person I got it from had 
it eighteen years. Will any of your readers say if they 
have seen or know of such a monster ?— John Atherton, 
Fern Bank, Cadley, Preston. 
-- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
Brixton.— November ith and oth. —The twentv- 
seventh annual show of this flourishing little society 
was held in the Lecture Hall adjoining the Congre¬ 
gational Church, Streatliam Hill, on the dates named 
above, and was, in all respects, highly creditable to 
the local gardeners. It was.amost pleasing exhibition, 
varied with plenty of good-quality contributions, both 
in Chrysanthemum blooms, plants, vegetables and fruit. 
Cut blooms are invariably a strong feature amongst 
the attractions of the Brixton show ; and though this 
season they were not quite so large as usual in the 
incurved classes, the Japanese were excellent, and there 
was no objectionable roughness in the others. A 
beautiful stand of twenty-four Japanese varieties won 
leading honours for Mr. Mansell, gardener to Mrs. 
Burton, Streatham, his blooms being large and of 
capital colour. Some of the finest were La Triom- 
phante, Val d’Andorre, J. Delaux, Margaret Marrouch, 
Jupiter, Madame Audiguier, Source d’Or, Boule d’Or, 
and N. Davis. A similar position for twelve Japanese 
was won by Mr. G. Pell, gardener to A. Margotson, 
Esq., Streatham, who had much the best plants in a 
large class, one of Ms blooms, Boule d’Or, being a 
marvellous example of this fine variety. Messrs. T. 
Sadler, C. J. Salter, W. Howe and T. Mansell were 
second and third prize winners in these classes. All 
the honours for the incurved varieties fell to Mr. C. J. 
Salter, Selborne Gardens, Streatham, who carried off 
three first prizes with remarkable ease, and who also 
had the satisfaction of securing the prize for the premier 
incurved bloom in the show, a very handsome specimen 
of Prince Alfred. Mr. Salter’s blooms in each class, for 
twenty-four, twelve and six varieties, were marked by 
a clean, neat style, that is far preferable to the coarse¬ 
ness with greater size, too often seen at shows ; his 
back row blooms of Prince Alfred, Mrs. Heale, St. 
Patrick, Jeanne d’Arc, John Salter, Princess of “Wales 
and Lord Alcester were excellent in all respects. 
Messrs. T. Sadler, J. Howe and W. Howe followed in 
the classes named. Mr. T. Sadler had the best twelve 
reflexed varieties, very good blooms; and Mr. J. Swan, 
gardener to E. Jones, Esq., Clapham Park, took the 
lead with twelve large Anemones. 
The specimen plants were fairly good, but we have 
seen them much better at this show, though the Pom¬ 
pons were almost up to their usual style. Mr. E. 
Cherry, gardener to Mrs. Gabriel, was first, with six 
incurved plants ; Mr. F. Weston, gardener to D. Mar¬ 
tin eau, Esq., Clapham Park, being second ; and though 
some thought the awards should have been reversed, 
the judges were undoubtedly right, for the first-named 
were far better trained. Mr. Weston had six and three 
well-bloomed dwarf Pompons, being first with both ; 
and other prizes were taken by Messrs. Cubb, Cherry 
and R. Clark. Of the miscellaneous plants the Orchids, 
from Mr. C. J. Salter, were the most important; healthy 
well-bloomed specimens, including some choice varie¬ 
ties. Mr. H. Wright, gardener to J. A. Whittard, 
Esq., Streatham Hill, also had four first-rate Ferns, 
including a surprisingly vigorous Gymnogramma 
sehizophylla gloriosa. 
